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99 R1100GS Drive Shaft Interchangeability

I have a 99 R1100GS (72,000mls) and just did a full spline lube and noticed the UJ at the final drive end is shot (notchy) so am in the market for a used one.

The general consensus seem to be that 1100RT drive shafts are the same but after ordering a UJ from an RT I can see they are different as per the pic. Mine is the bottom one with the splines cut all the way to the end of the shaft.

I am talking to another gentleman who also has an RT drive shaft and compared it to my UJ and he agrees his is not the same as mine either.

I checked with Bob's BMW and they said the 1100RT should be the same. All the microfiche agree.

REALOEM.com also syas the 1100RT should fit.

It did not appear that my GS had been apart before so I am very confused as to which used driveshaft to pursue.

I have a guy who has a 2004 1100S shaft and he says the UJ looks exactly the same as my UJ but I don't particularly want to buy a whole drive shaft just for the UJ but am happy to buy it if the whole shaft works.

I don't particularly want to buy a whole drive shaft just for the UJ but am happy to buy it if the whole shaft works.

Are you considering replacing only part of the driveshaft?
There are 2 UJs and if one is notchy, the other one will be notchy pretty soon.
I say replace the whole thing. I've not had this problem yet though so get a second opinion.

On my 94 RS I replaced the driveshaft AND the rear drive hub u-joint/spline with a shaft/u-joint from a newer 1150. The splines at the rear drive hub are longer and bigger. Its been in there now for five seasons and probably close to 60,000 miles with no issues at all.

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While helping a friend repair a failed drive shaft on his '96 R1100RT, we have run into a weird problem: Apparently someone had previously switched out the drive shaft with one from some other model. He purchased another "used" drive shaft but when we went to install it, the splines on the final drive UJ/ are different. The replacement shaft has 16 splines (which according to Anton Largardier and others is correct) while the final drive U joint and short shaft (that slide into the drive shaft) has 21 splines. Unfortunately, most sellers on flea bay and elsewhere only sell the shaft and the attached UJ and not the final drive end. I'm really puzzled as to where this shaft came from (maybe a K-bike?) If anyone has a used complete drive shaft assembly or the final drive UJ or any suggestions where I might find one your help will be appreciated!